Banks Auto Mind

[Mauseth]

I am thinking about adding the Banks Auto Mind to my 2006 3500. Has anyone used this system and can give me some feedback before I make my decision?

 

[HGreen]

I have one on my 2006 2500, had it since around 2007, started out with the Palm as its display, and upgraded to the latest a few years ago, wanted the backup camera. I use it for the gauge selection, and usually run on #2, economy mode. I have used the higher settings a couple times when towing heavy, but #2 works fine. You will find that the group does not have much love for Banks, but I don't any issues.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have removed many failed units,I do have one customer who still has a functioning unit on an 06 but Banks has replaced the box once.

 

[Todd1113]

I had the banks six gun with the palm for gauges on my 06. Had to remove it a couple years ago because something finally went bad in the module causing injector harness codes.

 

[tommyturbo]

Mauseth. I have running a Banks Automind 66108 in my 08. Been about 60,000 miles on it. It is a hand held canned
programmer which downloads to the OBDII port. This little programmer was not available in the early days of the 6.7.
The 6.7 likes it. I like it too. The first programmer I installed was a PPE Xcelerator back in 2009. The 6.7 didn't like
it. I don't hot rod but just drive like grandpa. I use the max power for better pre turbo response and handling and also
the tow tune. The max tune can destroy the transmission if you so desire with the big torque but the truck is the family
tow vehicle so I'm easy on it. The big complaint I had with the PPE was the increased engine clatter. I thought a head
gasket would blow. I tried to get PPE to get the mobile desoot feature to work but the programs kept cumming up
as 5.9. Also MPG was same as stock. Not the 6 MPG promised. Installed the Banks in 2012 and noticed a big
difference. Engine was quieter than stock. Tunes were the same power as PPE. One surprise benefit was a
2 MPG gain all around! My impression of Banks was as a conservative application for motorhomes and marine but
after the Dakota Cummins 5.9 record speed ran without making smoke, Banks must have done some homework!
I know that this a 3rd Gen thread but Banks does have an Automind for 5.9.
Tom

 

[Bob4x4]

The banks dakota ran nitrous to clean the smoke....

 

[AH64ID]

Banks is overpriced and low on performance and longevity on modules. They make some good hard parts but you do pay for them.

 

[tommyturbo]

Bob. Thanks for the clarification. That no smoke hype thing was something I read from some third party
and not from Banks. But it did sound good to fluff up my story. I usually do report on stuff from my own
experience. The Automind 66108 is a real honey and in my mind the 6.7 must be running more efficiently
to get the MPG gain and low clatter. If I find time, I would like to report in the future about another accessory
combined with the Banks 66108. Its the Autochips module that connects in parallel with the IAT sensor that
gives an additional 2 MPG. That gives 4 more MPG together. Now the 2007.5 to 2012 6.7 MPG compares
with the newer SCR DEF emmission trucks.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[WalterJ]

" Midway through the 2004 model year, the Cummins 600 was introduced, producing 325 horsepower (242 kW; 330 PS) at 2,900 rpm and 600 pound-feet torque (813 N·m) at 1,600 rpm. The later addition of the Banks EconoMind diesel tuner module reports an additional 100HP & 200 #-Ft improvement @ max. demand. "

Been running the Banks EconoMind w/PDA for guage display/alarms/codes since 9-4-2009. Used Pwr Lvl 2 or 3 for towing for a few years, then read a rather technical article re: running @ pwr lvl 6, normal max. setting. This theory reports that the slight additional combustion time available from the earlier pilot injections were more economical. Indeed, that's what I found. Been keeping it set at pwr lvl 6 these last 5 years or so. Coincidentally my stop'n go driving in town & towing trips to Orlando yields about the same 12-14mpg mileage. Unloaded mileage on the highway @ 60ish mph yields 16ish mpg.

We're most satisfied with the Banks organization & phone assistance. I believe their engineering philosophy & execution is without compromise. But then, I light a candle in church every 20 years whether I need to or not. Safe traveling.

 

[tommyturbo]

WalterJ. Thought I might post some non towing mileage numbers gotten recently. Non towing highway tank fulls don't happen that often with the grocerygetter I have.
First non towing trip was in Feb 2008 from LA CA to Sonora CA and back getting 17.5 MPG. All stock. Next was the 2015 Spring NHRDA Diesel Drags in Bakersfield. LA CA
to Bakersfield, putting around town and then back to LA CA logged 20.4 MPG with Banks Automind 66108 and Autochips module. Then next a trip Sat Oct 3 2015 From LA CA to Mammoth
Lakes, putting around looking for fishing streams, cabin and grocery runs then getting back to LA CA Oct. 5. 20.9 MPG. Towing has never changed through the years at 11MPG, stock or not.
I've been checking mileage every tank since new as an indicator of any issues. Back when stock, city only gets about 11 MPG. Combined with an hour or so of freeway gets about
12.4 and freeway only gets 17.5 MPG. With the Banks and Autochips, city gets 13MPG, combined gets 16.8 MPG and freeway over 20 MPG. I check every tank full. I use the
same pump at USA Gasoline and keep a solar calculator in the console. I don't ever look at the overhead display. The AutoMind 66108 comes with a CARB EO sticker.
My 08 is still stock emissions intact. These MPG show averages from several years of fill ups. Some mileage checks were 4 MPG gains, but actually the averages show
an honest 3.5 MPG gain. I can't help but boast about this very good running truck. Just waiting for soot related issues to pop up eventually.

Tom

 

[JCockerill]

Banks is overpriced junk and they don't stand behind the product!, I had a sixgun in my 06 and ripped it out because it had a problem with crank sensor wiring. Banks admitted a problem and wanted to charge me $150 to fix the harness they didn't wire right in first place.

do yourself a favor and tune your truck with EFI live!

http://anarchydieseltuning.com/efi-live-products.html